Priority Standards for Oct. 16-23

4th grade:

Genre Posters continued

-Students will explore the meaning of literature genres and then create a poster to explain one of the genres used in our school library.

-Students will use graphics from iClipArt that are licensed to be used in projects.

21.3-5.TL.1 Use technology resources to create original projects, identify patterns, make predictions, and propose solutions.

*I can choose from a variety of resources to add content to a project.

*I can create and share new ideas and products and processes related to curriculum content.

21.3-5.TL.2 Use interactive technologies in a collaborative group to produce digital presentations or products in a curricular area.

*I can use technology to work with others.

21.3-5.TL.5 Understand and practice appropriate, legal, and safe uses of technology for lifelong learning.

*I can use copyrighted materials responsibly.

Genre Poster Examples for Biography and Historical Fiction

5th grade:

Discussing Email Etiquette continued

-View examples of composing and sending email through school-provided email accounts. Discuss the importance of using correct spelling and grammar, avoiding sarcasm and abbreviations, including a subject, etc.

21.3-5.TL.5 Understand and practice appropriate, legal, and safe uses of technology for lifelong learning.

6th grade:

Share Glogster projects continued

21.6-8.TL.5 Understand the legal and ethical issues of technology as related to individuals, cultures, and societies.

21.6-8.TL.1 Demonstrate creative thinking in the design and development of innovative technology products and problem solving.

Priority Standards for Technology Oct. 5-12

4th grade:

Genre Posters {example for Biography}

-Students will explore the meaning of literature genres and then create

a poster to explain one of the genres used in our school library.

-Students will use graphics from iClipArt that are licensed to be

used in projects.

21.3-5.TL.1 Use technology resources to create original projects,

identify patterns, make predictions, and propose solutions.

*I can choose from a variety of resources to add content to a project.

*I can create and share new ideas and products and processes related

to curriculum content.

21.3-5.TL.2 Use interactive technologies in a collaborative group to

produce digital presentations or products in a curricular area.

*I can use technology to work with others.

21.3-5.TL.5 Understand and practice appropriate, legal, and safe uses

of technology for lifelong learning.

*I can use copyrighted materials responsibly.

5th grade:

Discussing Email Etiquette

-View examples of composing and sending email through school-provided

email accounts. Discuss the importance of using correct spelling and

grammar, avoiding sarcasm and abbreviations, including a subject, etc.

21.3-5.TL.5 Understand and practice appropriate, legal, and safe uses of

technology for lifelong learning.

6th grade:

Finish and share Glogster projects

21.6-8.TL.5 Understand the legal and ethical issues of technology as related

to individuals, cultures, and societies.

21.6-8.TL.1 Demonstrate creative thinking in the design and development

of innovative technology products and problem solving.

Priority Standards for Technology, Sept. 27-Oct. 4

4th grade:

Celebrate Your Right to Read

Create a “Reader’s Bill of Rights”

21.3-5.TL.5 Understand and practice appropriate, legal, and

safe uses of technology for lifelong learning.

*I can work individually and collaboratively to create, display,

publish, or perform technology projects.

21.3-5.TL.2 Use interactive technologies in a collaborative group

to produce digital presentations or products in a curricular area.

*I can use technology to work with others.

5th grade:

Celebrating Constitution Day [Part 2]

"Town Hall Meeting" simulation (Representative Smith wants

to know what her constituents think of a proposed bill.)

21.3 -5.TL.3 Utilize digital tools and resources to investigate

real–world issues, answer questions, or solve problems.

21.3-5.TL.5 Understand and practice appropriate, legal, and

safe uses of technology for lifelong learning.

6th grade:

Continue Glogster

21.6-8.TL.5 Understand the legal and ethical issues of

technology as related to individuals, cultures, and societies.

21.6-8.TL.1 Demonstrate creative thinking in the design and

development of innovative technology products and problem solving.

Metacognition

Metacognition - What is that? And why should I care?

According to Merriam-Webster, metacognition is the "awareness or analysis of one's own learning or thinking processes." It is really something many adults do without thinking about it! However, it is something we have to teach kids how to do.

It is important for all of us to be able to solve difficult problems and to persevere in situations when we want to give up. 

So how do we train ourselves (and our brains) not to give up? It takes hard work and practice. And that is why I have my 6th grade TAG students "Learning About Learning" in our current unit. After a discussion about what helps or hinders learning today, I am excited to see what else these bright young minds come up with!

I didn't record the discussion, but a few of the great ideas shared:

• Learning happens when having some fun. We learn more about what we are interested in.
• Someone else added that fun can be a distraction as well - so we put it on both sides. 
• We are all individuals - we each have to learn what we need and want out of our learning environment.
• Clear directions and expectations being helpful was something almost everyone agreed with.

Sources: 

Jacobson, Rae.  “Metacognition: How Thinking About Thinking Can Help Kids.” https://childmind.org/article/how-metacognition-can-help-kids/. Child Mind Institute n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2018.

"Metacogntion." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2018.

Priority Standards for Technology Sept. 19-26

4th grade:

Celebrating Constitution Day

-View videos and e-books on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights

21.3-5.TL.5 Understand and practice appropriate, legal, and safe

uses of technology for lifelong learning.

*I can use technology to assist my learning.

5th grade:

Celebrating Constitution Day [Part 1]

-View video on how a bill becomes a law and discuss this process.

21.3 -5.TL.3 Utilize digital tools and resources to investigate

real–world issues, answer questions, or solve problems.

21.3-5.TL.5 Understand and practice appropriate, legal, and safe

uses of technology for lifelong learning.

6th grade:

Continue Glogster

21.6-8.TL.5 Understand the legal and ethical issues of technology as

related to individuals, cultures, and societies.

21.6-8.TL.1 Demonstrate creative thinking in the design and
development of innovative technology products and problem solving.

Planet Problems?

Fifth grade BTAG students are beginning a unit called "Planet Problems". The unit will focus on problems in our world and creative ways we might be able to impact or solve these problems. Some of our ideas for topics within this unit include:

• Global warming
• Ozone layer
• Coral reefs
• Pollution
• Endangered animals
• Trash/Recycling
• War (We read an NPR transcript about a teenager who invented a device used to detect explosive land mines)
• Clean Water
• Hunger/Healthy Foods
• Shelter
• Education for all

What other "Planet Problems" can you think of?

Materials for students:
Here is a sample Planning Template for your project.

Priority Standards for Technology Sept. 11-18

4th grade:

Review the district’s Acceptable Use Policy

Login to Google Apps and accessing Gmail

21.3-5.TL.5 Understand and practice appropriate, legal, and safe

uses of technology for lifelong learning.

5th grade:

Review the district’s Acceptable Use Policy

Email Etiquette

21.3-5.TL.5 Understand and practice appropriate, legal, and safe

uses of technology for lifelong learning.

6th grade:

Review the district’s Acceptable Use Policy

Introduce Glogster

21.6-8.TL.5 Understand the legal and ethical issues of technology as

related to individuals, cultures, and societies.

21.6-8.TL.1 Demonstrate creative thinking in the design and
development of innovative technology products and problem solving.